LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Early Lake Lions Club of Lakeport hosted four area high school students in a speaking competition recently.

Three independent judges voted Anouk Robison-Defever the winner of the contest where she will go on to competitions at other Lions clubs throughout Lake County.

This competition is initiated by Lions International which chooses the topic and sets the rules for a fair national competition.

All students earn an award toward their school expenses and the competition encourages confidence and the ability to research and speak on a topic, a valuable life skill.

The local club’s winner earned $100 for her efforts with other speakers earning a $25 prize. From here Robison-Defever went on to compete and goes to compete at regional, district and on. The ultimate champion in the Lions’ speaking competition will earn $6500 - a nice down payment on a future career.

Volunteering their time to judge the competition were Brian Martin, County of Lake Sheriff; Karin McKinney, Eye Care Optometrics, Lakeport and Tammy Serpa, Lake County Office of Education.

These judges are part of a long history with this competition which goes back 81 years for the Lions Clubs.

The Early Lake Lions of Lakeport has participated in the competition for 41 of those years.

Lakeport’s Early Lake Lions club is one of 46,000 Lions Clubs around the globe with over 1.4 million members in 200 countries.

The club meets on the first and third Thursdays at 6:45 a.m. at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.

Being a member is a great way to be a part of the making this community a better place for all – there is a place for any civic-minded individual in the club and anyone interested in being a member can just join us for a meeting to learn more.

The club participates in events throughout the year to benefit the community including providing eyeglasses for children, providing scholarships for high school students and so much more.

More details are available at https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/lakeportel/index.php.